Champaign Investigates Residential Burglaries

CHAMPAIGN - The Champaign Police Department is warning you to be vigilant after noticing an increase in the number of residential burglaries, as compared to last year at this time, across the city.

From December 1 – December 14, 2014, the Department received 34 residential burglary reports. In 2013, during this same period, 20 reports were taken for the same offense.

Champaign residents are encouraged to keep their home and garage doors locked at all times. When leaving your home, curtains should be drawn and valuable items removed from plain sight of any window. Thieves are known to target homes where gifts and valuables are likely to be present during the holiday season.

Residents are encouraged to activate their neighborhood watch groups and report any illegal activity.

If traveling for the holidays:

1.Leave a light on inside and outside of your home

2.Lock up jewelry, coins, and other valuables

3.Request “vacation watch” patrols from the police department

4.Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home and report any suspicious activities around your property.

Crimes can make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling (217) 373-8477 (TIPS). Callers can also submit tips online to Crime Stoppers atwww.373tips.com or by texting the following: CCTIP plus the information to 274637 (CRIMES). Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for this crime.